News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers

March 2, 2009

Kurt Warner's stretch Range Rover just pulled out of the 49ers facility, presumably to deliver the free-agent quarterback at a restaurant where he will have dinner with coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan. Warner Watch has ended. Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said that Warner and wife, Brenda, would spend the night in Santa Clara and fly back to the Phoenix area tomorrow morning. "He's going to think about it," Bartelstein said.

McCloughan left before Warner did and was nice enough to stop for reporters. Here's what he had to say:

Is there a time table?
Not yet. As a matter of fact, we're going to meet tonight.

Will Kurt return to the Phoenix area tonight?
Maybe. Maybe. It's still a work in progress.

On today's meeting:
His physical came back good. That's the biggest thing from our standpoint.

On what he felt about Warner in general.
He's a very classy guy. Very classy. And that's a reason he's been so succesful in his career, the way he carries himself. Yeah, it's been good.

On progress of discussions:
Like I said, it's still up in the air. We're very excited he's willing to come visit and possibly be a 49er.

On whether signing Warner would close the door on Alex Smith.
No. No. As a matter of fact, at that position we're trying to add as much good talent as we can because you can't have enough. No doors are ever closed. We're trying to get better.

Are you having dinner with him tonight?
Possibly. Possibly.

Jed York also stopped to chat. He said he stopped in to say "hi" to Warner today and might meet up with him again tonight. He said he would not get involved in the negotiations with the quarterback. "Scot and Mike -- it's their deal." Said York of Warner: "Great guy. Not just from today personally but seeing him over the last 10 or so years. He's a class act."

MATTHEW BARROWS

Matt was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green.